I’ve been told many times that Bardia (also Bardiya) National Park is Chitwan National Park 30 years ago. Slightly off the beaten track, Bardia National Park is a little hidden gem amongst travelers in Nepal. Even if travelers have heard about it and become interested in it, as soon as they see the only way of getting there (on a backpacker budget) is a 16 hour...
I’ve been dreaming of doing the three passes trek since the first time I came to Nepal. After hearing about crossing three high passes, seeing the Gokyo Lakes, and making it to Everest Base Camp, The Three Passes Trek quickly jumped to the top of my list. I’ve returned to Nepal twice since initially making the trip out, and the third time I was in Nepal...
I called Pokhara my home for quite a few months after initially falling in love with the city after returning from a month of trekking through the Annapurnas. One thing that I love about Pokhara is that there’s a variety of amazing food throughout the city, especially Lakeside. When I was living there, I had a homemade breakfast, but I loved spending my...
Annapurna Base Camp is one of my favourite treks in Nepal. It’s one of the easier ones, but you’re still rewarded with incredible views. The Annapurna region is popular with trekkers, and there’s no question why. I loved it so much I’ve done it twice! Here’s everything you need to know the ABC Trek, including an Annapurna Base Camp...
If you’re heading to Pokhara, chances are, you’ll hear about the famous lake, Phewa Tal, and the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa). Instead of hiring a taxi to take you to the pagoda and hiring a boat to take you around the lake, combine the two attractions into one! The women I work with and I decided to take a boat across the lake and hike up to the...
Australian Base Camp is definitely one of Nepal’s best-kept secrets. This hike can be completed in one day and brings you through the Annapurna foothills to an incredible viewpoint of the Himalayas. It’s an incredibly accessible hike, as it doesn’t require a TIMS card or ACAP permit. While it’s easily a half-day to day hike, I actually...
Nepal is my favorite favorite FAVORITE country in the entire world. I’m only 100% happy in this country (something I’m really trying to work on). It’s filled with the kindest people, the best food, and the most stunning views you will ever lay your eyes on. Nepal is a place that I could return to year after year and I’d...
A quick little story about drinking random stuff * * * Raksi is a traditional Nepalese/Tibetan spirit made from distilled rice, kodo, or millet, enjoyed during religious ceremonies, but also consumed by the general public as they wish. Whilst trekking in Nepal, I’ve come across this drink many times, but only in Shika (pronounced see-kuh), a stop along the Annapurna...
The Annapurna Sanctuary (the trek up to Annapurna Base Camp) was super interesting to me. Super weird! In the best and worst ways! Being back at a (relatively) low elevation (1500 meters or so) meant for unexpectedly HOT days. Nathaniel and I found ourselves sweaty sweaty sweaty, but it started to cool down on our second day when we got to Sinuwa, 2360 m. Our route...
The past month has been a whirlwind of happiness! I started my big Nepalese adventure in Kathmandu, as always. I landed at night, and after standing in line for AGES at the airport for my visa, took a taxi to my hostel. I returned to Hotel Silver Home (this time in a dorm), and Hari still remembered me! I immediately fell asleep. The next day was filled with shopping...
Read part 1 here! The trek up to base camp was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was both physically and emotionally so exhausting, being in the constant cold, walking 10+ (uphill) kilometers a day… It was draining. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the trek because I felt as if I was accomplishing something. From Lukla, the...
SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPAR-KATHMANDU-LUKLA I had never been so excited to take off before. At Changi, I was shaking with excitement, so so ready to start the trek up to base camp. I knew it would be a tough trek (I didn’t doubt that for a second), but I had absolutely no idea how not only physically, but also emotionally draining the next two weeks would be...